When Charlie Adam needed to be replaced following an injury within the first twenty minutes, Aston Villa's Ireland slotted into the attacking midfield position to make his 12th appearance since joining the Potters on a season-long loan deal in the summer.

It took until the 50th minute mark for the Irishman to make his impact as a substitute. Jonathan Walters surged down the right wing and picked out his compatriot, who curled a sublime shot that bounced off the base of the post and into the back of the net.

With six minutes remaining and the game tied at 2-2 following Andre Schurrle's equalizer, Walters made way for Liverpool loanee Assaidi which would later prove to be manager Mark Hughes' second masterstroke of the game.

With time running down into the last minute, 25-year old Assaidi ran down the left flank, cut in behind Branislav Ivanovic and fired a stunning strike past Petr Cech to hand Stoke their first win over Chelsea since 1975.

Following his matchwinner, Assaidi spoke to the Daily Mirror in regards to his future at Anfield: "I hope I still have a future there. I have two years more and we will see, but I'm now at Stoke and I'll do my best."